A Fulton County Superior Court judge has scheduled an evidentiary hearing in a lawsuit that a College Park councilwoman has brought against a resident and the city’s deputy city clerk.
Councilwoman Jamelle McKenzie is suing resident Mose James IV and Deputy City Clerk Queenie Brown to permanently end a recall effort to remove her from office. James IV submitted the recall petition during the summer on behalf of the Committee to Recall Jamelle McKenzie. Brown verified the signatures on the petition.
On Monday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Belinda T. Edwards scheduled an evidentiary hearing for May 7, said McKenzie’s attorney, Jeremy T. Berry.
The petition to recall McKenzie cites actions that the petitioners say were a breach of oath of office, misconduct and more. The councilman has said that the accusations against her are untrue.
“We welcome the opportunity to prove what we have known all along — these allegations are baseless and don’t meet the high legal standard required for recall in Georgia,” Berry said.
The judge had been expected to rule whether the recall petition submitted to the city clerk’s office was drafted properly.
A statement from James Walker, attorney for James IV and the Committee to Recall Jamelle McKenzie, said the May hearing is another layer that ensures a fair evaluation of the complex court case and recall process.
Walker said the upcoming hearing will include the testimony of such people as Councilwoman McKenzie.
“I am confident that the recall petition will eventually proceed,” Walker said. “The constituents of [McKenzie’s] Ward One will ultimately vote to recall the councilwoman and choose a new representative who is dedicated to serving with transparency and good governance.”
